Adrenal Tumor
What Is an Adrenal Tumor?
The adrenal glands are small organs located above the kidneys that secrete various hormones involved in blood pressure, metabolism, and the stress response.
Tumors that develop in the adrenal glands include:
- Tumors that secrete excess hormones (functioning tumors)
- Tumors that do not secrete hormones (non-functioning tumors)
These are the two main types.
Main Adrenal Tumors
- Primary aldosteronism (elevated blood pressure)
- Cushing's syndrome (excess cortisol)
These are representative conditions caused by adrenal adenomas. Adrenal metastases can also arise from cancers such as lung cancer, kidney cancer, and colorectal cancer, and in rare cases primary adrenal cancer may develop. Adrenal metastases and non-functioning tumors often cause few symptoms and are sometimes discovered incidentally on imaging tests such as CT or MRI.
Standard Treatments
Treatment for benign adrenal tumors commonly includes:
- Laparoscopic removal of the adrenal gland (adrenalectomy)
- Medication (drug therapy)
For adrenal metastases, systemic therapy or surgery may be considered, but depending on the patient's condition, these treatments can place a significant burden on the body.
IVR Treatment for Adrenal Tumors at Our Clinic
At our clinic, we perform minimally invasive IVR (interventional radiology) not only for adrenal adenomas that cause primary aldosteronism or Cushing's syndrome, but also for adrenal metastases.
Main Treatment Methods
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
In this treatment, a needle is inserted into the tumor and the tumor is destroyed with heat. Because the adrenal glands are located deep within the body, ultrasound may not always visualize the lesion adequately. At our clinic, we use CT fluoroscopy to confirm the position in real time during the procedure, with careful attention to accuracy and safety.
About Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Transcatheter Arterial Embolization (TAE)
This treatment blocks the blood vessels that supply the tumor, suppressing tumor growth. For adrenal metastases with abundant blood flow, combining catheter treatment (embolization) with RFA may provide more effective local control in some cases.
By appropriately combining these treatments according to the condition of the lesion, we aim for greater therapeutic effectiveness.
Features of Adrenal Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
RFA for adrenal tumors is a minimally invasive local treatment performed by inserting a needle through the skin.
It offers the following advantages:
- Relatively little burden on the body
- May be an option even for patients for whom surgery is difficult
- May be performed as a same-day procedure under appropriate management
Please Consult Us If Any of the Following Apply
- Surgery is difficult for you, or you do not wish to have surgery
- Anticancer drugs have had limited effect, or you are struggling with their side effects
- You wish to reduce the physical burden due to advanced age or comorbidities
- You are considering local treatment for localized adrenal metastases
- You have been told that treatment is difficult because of other lesions
- You are unsure about treatment options for primary aldosteronism or Cushing's syndrome
At our clinic, IVR specialists propose treatment tailored to each patient's condition, based on diagnostic imaging and combining therapies such as RFA and TAE.
Because the treatment strategy for adrenal tumors differs greatly depending on the nature of the lesion and whether it produces hormones, accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection are essential.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
